Author: Redazione Cuamm

Implementation research in low and middle income countries 2026 edition

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A training course on implementation research in low and middle-income countries: theoretical training will be accompanied by practical exercises and group works.

An in-presence course lasting three days, from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 February, at the headquarters of Doctors with Africa Cuamm, in Padua, Italy.

The 2026 edition of the course will be entirely in English, to allow international researchers to participate as well.

The course is addressed to young graduates, postgraduates, PhD students with a healthcare or related background and/or professionals interested in learning more about operational research in the field.

A course organized by

 

In partnership with
With the patronage of

Enrolment: The course has a limited number of participants. To enrol, please complete the registration fields below. Only after receiving a confirmation email, it is possible to pay the contribution. In the event of too many applications, a selection of participants will be made.

Payment: After receiving confirmation of admission to the course, it is possible to make a transfer of Euro 200 at bank MPS, IBAN IT95 W010 3012 1500 0000 0295 337 in favour of Doctors with Africa CUAMM with the reason for payment “IR course contribution SURNAME NAME”.

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Registration is closed because we have reached the maximum number of participants. If you still wish to fill out the registration form below, please note that you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted to participate in the course ONLY IF SOMEONE WHO IS ALREADY REGISTERED WITHDRAWS. We will offer this course again in February 2027.


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ANNUAL MEETING WITH POPE FRANCIS

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Pope Francis special audience to Doctors with Africa CUAMM, during the twelfth edition of the Annual meeting. We are waiting for you on November 19th in Rome!

ANNUAL MEETING WITH POPE FRANCIS 

NOVEMBER 19th, 2022 

9 a.m. 

Consult the program 

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CULTURE WEEK IN KARAMOJA: AN OPPORTUNITY TO DONATE BLOOD

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Karamoja Culture Week, an event that celebrates, every year in September, Ugandan traditions, particularly Karamajong ones, just ended. Involving hundreds of participants, the event becomes an opportunity to raise awareness about healthcare. In the village of Abim, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has promoted the “blood bank”, trying to raise awareness about the importance of donating.

In two days alone, 130 units of blood were collected from generous donors in the food markets of Orwamuget and Nyakwae. The activity is part of a large project, implemented with the support of the Embassy of Ireland, in collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the country’s Blood Transfusion Services, the University of Mbarara, health professional associations and the 9 local district governments of Karamoja (Moroto, Kotido, Napak, Abim, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Kaabong and Karenga).

The primary objective is to strengthen district health systems in Karamoja to improve access to health for mothers, children, adolescents (RMNCAH) and HIV patients. At the same time, the program aims to encourage capacity for the safe collection, storage, distribution and use of blood and plasma.

«When my son was sick at the age of three – says Adero Pauline, who sells manioc at the Nyakwea market – we reached the hospital. The kid needed blood, but there were no units available at that time. So, we were forced to travel more than 30 kilometres to reach Amolatar district. During those hours of travelling, I thought my baby was not going to make it. Thank goodness, we found the blood and my son survived. Now he is 11 years old, he is doing well and that is why I am here today to donate, in the hope of saving the lives of other children who might need it».

Prophecy Official, a gospel singer from Abim, also participated in the Culture Week in Karamoja: «Many mothers die from post-partum haemorrhages. I donate blood whenever the opportunity is given, so that I can save as many women as possible».

«When I was 16 years old – remembers Ernest Ayen, Abim district youth chairman – on my way back from school, I found out that my mother had just been admitted to the hospital and needed an immediate blood transfusion, which, fortunately, arrived».

«I have a cousin who was recently rushed to the hospital, right when I was at her house. She needed blood, but there was none at the hospital in Abim. My uncle had to rush to Lacor Hospital in Gulu, 300 kilometres away. Thanks to the transfusion, she is now healthy.

I am grateful to the donors, this is why I give myself. CUAMM explained to me that the blood collected during the event will remain in our region to save mothers and children. I am happy about this!».

Blood donation represents, in concrete terms, a public health intervention: we donate not only to do good to the recipient, but also to ourselves.

OBSTETRICIANS WITH AFRICA THANKS TO MEGA SCHOLARSHIP

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Lucia and Elisabetta, ages 22 and 25, both had the strong desire to get to know Africa. There was no doubt in Lucia’s mind when she attended the Michele Mega Scholarship Project presentation at the University, she wanted to apply for the 2022 edition: «Listening to the testimonies and the stories, seeing the faces of the female students who left before me was the motivational drive. Today I realize that the time spent in the field was much more than an experience, it was an opportunity for professional and personal growth».

For Elisabetta, Africa has always been her calling: «I decided to enrol in the Obstetric degree program because my dream is to work in developing countries. Winning the Mega scholarship and learning the profession in a hospital with limited resources was a profound moment of living with Africa. I will be working hard so that it can be repeated in the future!».

Being very young, this was the first trip to Africa for Lucia and Elisabetta: a window to understand how to practice health cooperation with, the true mission of Doctors with Africa CUAMM. Ethiopian obstetricians followed the students in their internship journey, gifting satisfaction and precious memories. «The greatest gratification – for Lucia – was when, at the end of a long day, the head nurse told me: ‘You will be a very good obstetrician!’. These words filled my heart, because I did not expect them».

Elisabetta, on the other hand, cannot forget the relationships she formed with patients, «I felt gratified in so many small moments when I was able to be ‘home’ for a mother to-be. Sometimes, all it takes to reassure a woman in labour is a look. Eyes speak and welcome ‘I am here with you now’ mine whispered. With one patient in particular it was exciting to build trust during a difficult birth, then, to find her after a long time by chance, with her healthy baby. She stopped to say goodbye and thanked me. It was proof that even if you meet for just a short time, the experience you share is intense and you cherish it forever».

The biggest obstacle for Lucia and Elisabetta was working in a setting with limited resources, where helplessness is often experienced. «Even though I was aware of what I was getting into – explains Lucia – being in a hospital where children are dying at any moment really tested me».

Grief is also processed through the support of colleagues, with whom friendships can be formed. With healthcare professionals, opinions are exchanged, skills are refined, cultures are compared. «I met an Ethiopian nurse, who invited me to her home. Her mom cooked lunch and, like all mums in the world, she was worried I was not eating enough. In Ethiopian families, when you have a guest, you offer kid, a delicacy. Because I am vegetarian, my colleague’s mom had to reinvent herself and she was great at cooking veggie dishes! On another occasion this friend of mine lent me a traditional dress to go visit an Orthodox church together, it was especially meaningful to me».

«We lived in a guest house – says Elisabetta – together with the medical residents, the Junior Project Officers, with whom we teamed up. Many interesting people came through here, like a computer scientist without borders, designers, doctors. A really constructive melting pot!».

What about the future? Lucia and Elisabetta are now busy writing their thesis, dedicated precicesly to their experience in Wolisso. «After graduation, I would like to do Universal Civil Service with CUAMM, before finding a job», Lucia concludes. «Before going back to Africa – Elisabetta expresses – I would like to deepen my training, practicing in Italian hospitals, and then live in the field and offer a complete clinical background!».

TENDER ANNOUNCEMENT TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF PRINTING PRESS MATERIAL AND OFFICE STATIONARY

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM Ethiopia is launching the present Local Open Procedure to select eligible suppliers for Printing Press Material and Office Stationary.

 

00 Printing and Stationery_Tender announcement

01 Printing and Stationery_Contract Notice

02 Printing and Stationery_Instruction to participants

03 Administrative Compliance Grid

04 Evaluation GridAnnex

Annex I_Tender Submission Form

Annex Ia _Declaration of Hounor

Annex II and III_Specifications and Technical Offer

Annex IV_Financial offer

Annex V_Legal Entity

Annex VI_Financial Identitfication form

Annex VII_Contract Form

 

 

IN SCHOOL WITH TEENS TO FIGHT HIV

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«Since last April, – reports project leader Chiara Didonè from the field – we have been implementing a program, financed by AICS, led by the University of Florence, in the Shinyanga area, with the aim of treating young people effected by HIV, but in particular to raise awareness on the value of prevention. Prejudices related to this virus hinder early diagnosis, as well as geographical distances and poor transportation to reach hospitals and specialized centers discourage people from taking the test.

For this reason, CUAMM goes to schools, setting up stands entrances of institutes. After awareness raising activities, we offer testing. We are also present in the Shinyanga Regional Hospital and in the health centers of Ngokolo and Bugisi, where we support health workers and where we offer real “adolescent clinics” every Saturday, so that young people with HIV can take advantage of routine checkups, receive treatment and meet more of their peers.

During the first phase of the project, in collaboration with local authorities, 15 schools, 10 secondary and 5 primaries, were selected to reach the 10-24 age group. In June alone, the program reached 444 students. Fundamental was the role of CUAMM’s Tanzanian doctor, who also works in sex and reproductive education: together, we overcome language issues – I am learning, slowly, Swahili – but above all else, we try to make the students comfortable.

I remember a significant episode about how words and knowledge can help change perspectives. Before going to a school, I met with one of the teachers to explain how the awareness and screening day would take place and to find out how many young people would participate: out of hundreds initially, only 16 agreed to be tested for HIV. All the others were fearful. Based on this number, we reached the institution with just a stand and one nurse, but after conducting the awareness activity, the screening involved as many as 117 people and we stayed at the school until 7 p.m.!

After that day, I engaged some students in a chat to understand what had contributed to overcome their fear and take the test. The most obvious aspect was to offer that service in school, in a context where almost every one of them felt understood. We professionals are a young team, we put music on, I talked while some students touched my hair, the driver made jokes. With little, we got them involved, as if we were among friends! The emotional bond that develops between CUAMM cooperators, especially during these outreach initiatives, is very strong and it works.

The testing part is always psychologically difficult. I remember when 17-year-old Elisa found out she was positive: the young girl did not know that her mother had HIV. Thanks to CUAMM Elisa was diagnosed, now she receives proper treatment, and has been informed of HIV-positive support project.

There is still much work to be done to combat prejudice and properly support patients, but Elisa’s story is proof that what CUAMM is doing is helping.

We have not stopped in summer either, as we have organized community-wide meetings with “over 20s”. Soon we are going back to school, between colleges and high schools, to be with Tanzanian girls and boys. To accompany the hope of a future in wich awareness decreases the risk of contracting the HIV virus, a future that as such, from young people cannot disregard!».

TRAINING: A NECESSITY

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To provide better health services is possible, including in the Karamoja and Lango regions, by strengthening human resource training.  Since last June Doctors with Africa CUAMM, in collaboration with Elma Foundation, has been supporting a three-year project on maternal and child health to strengthen the skills of health personnel and offer support to the Ugandan Ministry of Health.

There are 37 professionals included in the training, among them anesthesiologists, radiologists, pediatric nurses, laboratory technicians and midwives.

The project was presented during a conference organized in the city of Soroti, which was attended by key stakeholders from the 9 districts of Karamoja and the 4 districts of Lango. This was a key moment for the involvement of local authorities, managers and health facility workers.

Karamoja and Lango regions, with a population of 3,756,500 people, suffer from a shortage of human resources in the health sector. In 2021, there were 1,164 vacancies in Karamoja, accounting for 41% of positions, while Lango had 936 vacancies, accounting for 27% of positions. There was a wide disparity of vacancies among districts and some key positions, such as anesthesiologists and radiologists.

During the meeting in Soroti, Peter Lochoro, CUAMM’s country representative in Uganda, emphasized that this program is timely to increase the number of anesthesiologists and to encourage learning about the use of equipment, such as x-ray machines, and in newborn care. “I am asking the districts to support us as partners in absorbing qualified staff – Lochoro said – starting with placement in private non-profit hospitals or neighbouring districts where there are shortages, so that professionals do not go out of work or change cities after specializing”.

On behalf of Elma Foundation, Rita Akankwasa thanked Doctors with Africa CUAMM for the fruitful collaboration, in support of Karamojacand now Lango to provide quality health services: “Recently CUAMM and Elma  successfully concluded a 4-year program in Karamoja, during which they worked in synergy with the districts to identify local nurses and midwives to be offered specialization. We are working hard, so that these health workers will be absorbed into the country’s workforce”.

In conclusion, the gratitude expressed by Patrick Barughare, representing the Ugandan Ministry of Health: “When we talk about human resources for health, we focus not only on health workers, but on all those people who are engaged in actions that make a difference in the health service. In Uganda, human resources for health is guided by a 10-year strategic plan (2020-2030), which includes three steps: planning, development and management. The major issues are limited salaries, the need for thorough training, and lack of equipment. This project is helping us address all these difficulties, for better health care!”.

 

THE BEAUTY OF DOING YOUR PART

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«Today is a special Thursday for me! On August 11, 8 years ago, I joined Doctors with Africa CUAMM. And started to work with professionals who dedicate their time and energy to Africa, often giving up so much to help the most vulnerable.

To hold the admistrative role in this organization means going far beyond accounting, logistics, mobilization and management of resources to implement projects. At CUAMM I have the opportunity to support mothers, children and other fragile groups to have access to quality health care and therefore to improve their well-being.

I am proud of my small contribution: in 8 years, my skills have saved the lives of malnourished little ones, patience with HIV and chronic diseases. It is exciting to reap the rewards of my hard work. The achievements of doctors, nurses and non-medical staff to assist people to the last mile. I am proud to be part of a team that strives, daily, for the right to health of my people!

Foundamental to me were Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it”. If each of us enacts the insignificant, we will collectively have a huge impact in people’s lives, therefore, we must do it!

Eight years ago, I started with small prject management, eventually moving on to deal with articulated projects. CUAMM gave me confidence, as did my colleagues, who helped me grow professionally and as a human being. THANK YOU!».

TENDER ANNOUNCEMENT TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF HUMAN MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

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Doctors with Africa CUAMM Ethiopia is launching the present Local Open Procedure to select eligible suppliers for Hospital Equipment, Human Medical Drugs and Hospital Consumables to support Hospital and Health Centres.

 

00 Medical Supplies_Tender announcement

01 Medical Supplies_Contract Notice

02 Medical Supplies_Instruction to participants

03 Administrative Compliance Grid

04 Evaluation Grid

Annex I_Tender Submission Form

Annex Ia _Declaration of Hounor

Annex II and III_Specifications and Technical Offer

Annex V_Legal Entity

Annex VI_Financial Identitfication form

Annex VII_Contract Form

 

ONE IN THREE HUNDRED: THE STORY OF LITTLE PETRO

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«Petro was born at Tosamaganga Hospital last April. Delivery occurred by natural means, but the baby needed oxygen therapy. So, he was admitted to the neonatology ward, where he received all necessary treatment. Due to breathing difficulties, during the early days of hospitalization, the baby was not able to breastfeed. On the fourth day, Petro got better and, as customary in the ward, we asked the mother to squeeze milk from the breast for her baby. However, only then the woman told us that she was never even able to breastfeed her previous children, who passed away within a few months of birth. Given the exceptional situation, we decided to help the mother and her baby, offering them formula», explains Martina Borelli, Doctors with Africa CUAMM’s paediatrician in Tanzania.

From January to July 2022, in the neonatology ward of Tosamaganga, 300 children have been admitted. Petro is one of them, the only one discharged with formula. Hospitalized children, in fact, receive breast milk as soon as possible and mothers are educated by local staff on the importance of breastfeeding, for themselves and for their baby. All over the world, particularly in low-to-middle income countries such as Tanzania, breast milk is an essential food, not only because of its singular nutritional properties, but also for its financial sustainability. Not being able to guarantee it puts the lives of the most fragile at risk, as the story of Petro’s two little brothers shows.

Today more than ever, breast milk becomes the best defence against malnutrition for African children: the rise in the cost of living and basic necessities, tangible consequences of the ongoing war in Ukraine, causes exponential growth in cases of children with severe acute malnutrition. Without taking into account the sanitary and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. In Tanzania, only 59% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. Sometimes mothers tend to feed babies too early with solid foods that can cause permanent damage at such an early age. CUAMM’s commitment to awareness raising activities on the topic of breastfeeding is ongoing. With the support of professionals trained in health centers and through home visits, efforts are made to educate about proper nutrition for one’s baby, which always begins with breast milk.

«Petro is now 4 months old, – concludes Martina – he grows and is doing well. His mother comes back regularly to Tosamaganga Hospital for check-ups and CUAMM staff continues to support the family. The story of this child, one in three hundred, further emphasize the need, at a global level, to protect and promote breastfeeding, the foundation for an equal and sustainable development».